IGP Emilia o IGP dell’Emilia

A little history

While production of IGP Emilia or IGP dell’Emilia wines dates back to 1995, the year in which the first product specification was approved, viticulture in the provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia has much more ancient roots. Indeed, the Lambrusco grape varieties, the oldest in Emilia, have Etruscan origins. Winegrowing in Emilia underwent its first major development in the Middle Ages: in 1300, Pier de’ Crescenzi recorded around thirty varieties of vines and wines produced in this area. Constantly renowned over the centuries, Emilian wines gained official recognition with the establishment of the denominations of origin.

The area

The product specification includes the entire administrative area of the provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia. This vast area includes very different landscapes, almost equally divided between plains and the Appennine range. However, it has uniform characteristics in terms of its soil and climate due to the shared origin, position and exposure of the land.

Wines and grape varieties

This denomination’s ampelographic base is highly varied and encompasses both black and white grape varieties, divided into many types of wine ranging from still to sparkling and spumante, as well as from dry to sweet. The most common black grape varieties include first and foremost Lambrusco in different varieties such as Marani, Maestri and Montericco. Another very common black grape variety, especially in the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Modena, is Ancelotta or Lancellotta. White grape varieties include Trebbiano, Malvasia di Candia Bianca Aromatica, Alionza, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco.